Flexible inner sole



April 5, 1938. A. l.. sANcHloNl FLEXIBLE INNER SOLE Filed OC'bf l2, 1956 Patented Apr. 5, 1938 UNiTED STATES PATENT OFFIQE FLEXIBLE INNER SOLE Application october 12, 1936, serial No. 105,178

1 Claim.

This invention relates to improvements in inner soles of shoes whereby the shoe is rendered more flexible.

As is well known in the industry many attempts have been made to secure flexibility in stitched or compo shoes across the ball of the foot. One method has been by slashing the leather across the inner soie at the ball portion. Another is the Del-Mac or Sbicca method of splitting the outer sole around the edges except at the ball of the foot and using the split off section with a hole in it at the ball oi the foot as the inner sole, thus eliminating the inner sole entirely. I find that I am able to achieve the desired flexibility by cutting out portions of the inner soie at the ball portion leaving only a central strip. This method eliminates the bottom ller or felt padding which ordinarily fills the cavity between the stitched bottom edges of the upper. My method also provides all the advantages of a turned shoe with regard to exibility but avoids the objectionable ridge of stitching.

Before explaining in detail the present invention it is to be understood that the invention is 25 not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawing, since the invention is capable oi other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various'ways. Also it 30 is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, and it is not intended to limit the invention claimed herein beyond the requirements of the prior art.

In the drawing:

Fig. l is a plan View of a shoe showing my improved inner soie inserted therein in dotted lines.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the inner sole itself.

Fig. 3 shows the bottom of a shoe upper after it has been lapped over the inner sole.

Fig. 4 is a vertical cross section in lines 4-4.

Figs. 5 and 6 represent inserts or cushions to be inserted in cut-out portions of the inner sole.

In the drawing, I0 represents the upperoi a shoe with bottom edges I I which are turned under and along which portions the upper is attached to the inner sole. The inner sole is sho-wn at I2. The inner sole has cut-out portions I3 and I4 at the ball portion leaving a central longitudinal strip I5 extending to the toe portion I6. In using an inner sole I2 thus cut away at the ball portion, it is preferable to make the lining II of the upper longer so that it may lap over and be attached by adhesive to the inner sole at the cut-out portions I3 and I4. 'Ihe usual bottom filler or felt padding which lls the depression between the stitched bottom edges oi the upper is eliminated entirely. If desired, rubber inserts or cushions 20 and 2l, shown in Figs. 5 andv 6, may be inserted between the upper I0 and the toe lining I1 on either side to t cut-out portions I3 and I4 20 of the inner sole, to provide a cushion where the weight falls on the shoe. Thus a cushioning effect may be provided without interfering with iiexibility.

I have found that an inner'sole cut out at the ball portion in this manner provides desirable flexibility in a shoe without loss of strength. The botto-m ller or felt padding is eliminated between the overlapping bottom sides of the upper and the insertion of rubber cushions at the cutout portion provides a cushioning eiect Where the weight falls on the shoe and where it is needed most.

I claim:

As a new article of manufacture,y a shoe including an inner sole having a portion out away on each side at the bail portion, rubber inserts between the upper and lining fitting the cut-out portions of said inner sole and an upper having edges attached to said inner sole.

ADOLF L. SANCI-IIONI. 

